International Women's Day: PM launches National Nutrition Mission

Live TV

PM Modi launches National Nutrition Mission and expansion of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign to mark the International Women's Day celebrations in the country; I&B Minister Smriti Irani greets women on the occasion; Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins 'suvidha' also launched.

International Women's Day is dedicated to highlight the role of women in all spheres of life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the pan-India expansion of flagship programme--Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao. He also interacted with beneficiary mothers and girl children in Jhunjhunu. Jhunjhunu district has achieved great milestones in making huge inroads in implementing beti bachao beti padhao scheme . Prime minister modi spent quit some time speaking to not the mothers but also in involved the children present in his own unique way.

Giving a fillip to the Government's initiative to save and educate the girl child, the programme expanded from the existing 161 districts to 640 districts all over the country. He awarded volunteers associated with the 'beti bachao beti padhao'..His message was simple that there is no difference between the daughter and son.

Prime Minister Modi emphatically said that daughters aren't a burden but a blessing, not just for parents but for the nation.

PM called on everyone to make this a people's movement, one that needs to be led by mother-in-laws.

Prime Minister also launched the National Nutrition Mission nationwide. He said that this will be executed in a mission mode using technology for maximum benefits.

Addressing the function, Union Women and Child development minister Maneka Gandhi said that 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' programme has started showing concrete results in all the districts it is currently implemented.

She said from the number of 800 girls on every 1000 boys, the number has now risen to 900 girls on every 1000 boys. She added that it has only been possible because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision.

The Union Minister also highlighted various schemes and programmes launched by the Centre to improve the condition of women in the country.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said that her government has taken a number of measures to take forward the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme.

On this occasion, President Ram Nath Kovind has extended greetings to women in India and across the planet. In a tweet the President said, "Women are the sheet-anchor of society, an inspiration for their families and for our nation. Let us work to a future where every woman has the right to dream, and to fulfil her dream."

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu has extended greeting on International Women's Day. In a tweet he said, "Time and again women have proved that they are not only second to none in any field, but better than men in multi-tasking. Women have made outstanding contributions in various fields in the country, be it politics, poetry, sports or business, women have excelled."

He added that "With women constituting about 50 per cent of our population, social, economic and political empowerment of women, including providing reservation in the Parliament and State Legislatures, has to be accorded top priority for the country to achieve rapid progress."

On International Women's Day, Upper House of Parliament today spoke in one voice to eliminate evils that deprive women of their due and called for all sections and the society as a whole to ensure that women are not left behind. Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said that change should begin from home and boys must be taught to respect girl and gender sensitisation should take place at all levels of the society.

Taking part in the discussion External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke about the women that have broken stereotypes and have triumphed in the areas that were considered to be the monopolised only by men.

She also called for taking a pledge on International Women's day to ensure that women feel safe and are not subjected to exploitation and harassment.

Women MPs from various political parties shared the sentiment and called for treating women equally at all levels throughout.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani has extended her greetings to all women on international Women's day. The Union minister said, women should be respected every day and everyone should help the women so that they can achieve their dreams.